President Biden expressed concerns about China’s economic struggles in a fund-raiser in Park City, Utah, warning that the country’s high unemployment and aging workforce could make it a threat to other nations. The president stated that when “bad folks have problems, they do bad things,” implying that these difficulties could spur actions that may harm other countries. These remarks are part of President Biden’s pattern of criticizing China, even as his administration seeks to ease tensions between the two countries.
President Biden had previously called President Xi Jinping a “dictator” during a fund-raiser in California, blaming him for being kept in the dark about a spy balloon that flew over the United States. Despite his critical remarks, President Biden asserted his intention to establish a rational relationship with China, emphasizing that he does not want to harm the country but will remain vigilant. This illustrates the delicate balance the president and his administration must strike as they seek to manage tensions with China while mitigating economic and military threats.
Relations between the United States and China have strained following the spy balloon incident and the discovery of China’s insertion of malicious computer code into critical infrastructure networks around U.S. military bases. However, President Biden has consistently stressed seeking competition rather than conflict with China. In recent weeks, top American officials have engaged in meetings with their Chinese counterparts, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is expected to visit China soon.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, President Biden has taken aggressive measures to curb China’s rise and restrict its ability to benefit militarily from American technologies. He recently signed an executive order prohibiting American investment in certain Chinese technology industries that could enhance Beijing’s military capabilities. In response, the Chinese government hinted at retaliatory actions, accusing the United States of politicizing and weaponizing trade.
President Biden’s comments regarding China may complicate efforts to arrange a face-to-face meeting between him and President Xi in the coming months. The last time the two leaders met in person was during the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia last November. It remains uncertain if they will have an in-person meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit later this year in San Francisco, but President Xi is expected to attend.
In conclusion, President Biden’s concerns over China’s economic struggles and aging workforce highlight the potential threat it could pose to other nations. Despite striving for a rational relationship with China, President Biden maintains a vigilant stance as he seeks to balance tensions and manage economic and military risks. Efforts are underway to engage in diplomatic dialogues, although recent measures to restrict China’s access to American technologies have heightened tensions. The possibility of a face-to-face meeting between President Biden and President Xi remains uncertain but may be essential for future relations between the two countries.